Hinge structure



S, H. CALDWELL April 26, 1 938 I HINGE STRUCTURE Filed March 23, 1936 11v VENTOR 05w 7/7. CM 014/54 1.

FIG.2.L

A TTOR/VE VS Patented Apr. 26, 1938 2,ll5,38l

INGE STRUCTURE Stuart, Caldwell, Detroit, Mich, assignor to-Q Christian Girl, Detroit-Mich.

Theinvention relates to hinges of that type adapted to be concealed from view when the door is closed while providing for relative movement of the parts thereof about an axis or axes suitable to allow the door to properly clear the body. It is the object of the invention to obtain a simple and efficient construction and to this end the invention consists in the structure as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the hinge as applied to the door of an automobile shown in open position;

Figure 2 is a plan view through the parts in the closed position;

Figure 3 is an elevation showing the vertical contour of the door and indicating the axis around which the hinge members must turn to give clearance. I

As illustrated, A is the post or door jamb and B is the door to be hinged thereto. Secured to the post A is a member C which is of angular form having a portion C projecting from the inner face of the post and a portion C which is 10- cated in a mortise or recess in the outer face of the post. The portion C has formed thereon a series of lugs or knuckles D for interconnecting with a pivotal link E which in turn has a knuckle engagement with a second pivotal link F. The

portion C has pivotally connected at the upper and lower ends thereof a pair of levers G and these levers are pivotally connected at H to the link F. Thus, the levers G extend in the general direction of, though not exactly parallel to, the

5 link E and the link F extends transversely to both the link E and levers G in the closed position of the door. The outer end of the link F has a knuckle joint with a bearing I which latter is mounted on the door B and forms a support 40 therefor. The levers G also project into recesses in the door and at their ends slidably engage bearings J, preferably by means of pins K engaging slots L in said bearings.

The mechanism thus far described has the 45 generalcharacter of a pantograph, which in the closed position of the door has the link F extending obliquely thereto and to the levers G in a direction towards the hinged edge of thedoor. When the door is opened, the link E will swing 50 about the center D of the knuckle D and the levers G will swing about the center C of their pivotal connection with the portion C Also, the link F will swing about the center of the pivot H connecting it to the lever G. Thus, while the 55 door B is moved angularly in relation to the post A, it is also --traveling in theidirection o-f'fl'the are row or awayfrom'the pivot cnter'c soas to carry its hinged edge outward from the body. The amount of this outward movement may be altered by changing the proportion of the lengths 5 of the links between the pivot centers thereof. Consequently, by suitable proportioning, any desired path of movement for the hinged edge of the door may be obtained, so as to avoid any interference with the body. 10

As above stated, the mechanism has the general character of a pantograph or four-sided frame with the sides pivotally connected to each other. This frame in the closed position of the door is diamond-shaped, one side being formed 15 by the member C, a second side by the lever G, and the remaining two sides by the links E and F, the link F being extended beyond the lever for its engagement with the door. During the swinging of the door towards open position this 20 frame changes its form by enlarging the two acute angles to obtuse angles and diminishing the two obtuse angles to acute angles. This has the effect of swinging the projecting portion of the link F around the pivot H to produce the 25 outward movement of the door on the lever G, as above described. a

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A hinge including a door member, a post member, a pair of load-carrying links pivotally connected to each other and respectively to said post and door members, said links being adapted to be folded and located within a recess in the door in the closed position of the latter, and an auxiliary linkage pivotally connected to said post member and to one of said links and adapted to slidably engage the door substantially in the plane thereof said linkage coordinating the angular movementof the door with the angular movement of said links.

2. A hinge comprising a door member and a post member, a pair of pivotally connected loadcarrying links respectively pivotally connected to said door member and said post member, a lever pivoted at one end to said post member and also pivoted to the door connected link intermediate the ends thereof being proportioned to form with said links a substantially diamond-shaped frame in the closed position of the hinge, and means for slidably connecting said lever to the door to hold the same in substantial parallelism in all positions of adjustment.

3. A hinge comprising a door member and a post member, a pair of pivotally connected loadcarrying links respectively pivoted to said door member and postmember, a non-load-carrying lever pivoted at one end to said post member being also pivoted to the door connected link V 'memberand post member, iapair of non-load-;

.the lever about its intermedialte the ends thereof and having a slidable connection with the door and holding the same 'in substantial parallelism, said links, lever and post member together forming in the closed position, of the door a diamond-shaped frame which in the opening of the door has its acute angles enlargedand its obtuse angles diminished thereby moving the door outward on .said lever simultaneously with the swinging of pivotal connection with the post.

4. A hinge comprising a door member and a post member, a pair of pivotally connected loadcarrying links respectively pivoted to said door carrying levers. embracing-said links each being pivotally connected at one end to said post member, beingalso pivoted to the door connected link. intermediate the ends thereof and having its outer end slidably connected to the door, said links, levers and post member together forming in the closed position of the door a diamond- Said post member, and means controlling the movement of said links including guiding means pivotally connected to said post member also p voted to one of said'links and adapted to slidably engage the door, said links and guidemeans being'adapted to be largely located within a recess in said door in the closed position of the latter.

20 STUART .H. CALDWELL. 

